Accountant

Job Description

**Visit the Hawthorne School District website ( for additional information regarding application procedures and to download applications. Salary noted is starting salary. The District offers exceptional fringe benefits, plus a $1,000 signing bonus**

DEFINITION

Under direction of the fiscal services director, to perform professional financial accounting and budgetary work in establishing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining assigned financial records; to prepare accounting, budgetary and statistical reports, financial statements, and claims; to recommend the establishment and revision of accounting procedures; to provide day to day technical support and guidance to department staff relating to GAAP, CSAM, and day to day accounting entries; to provide technical expertise; to update and maintain various reconciliations and be an integral part of year-end-closing process; to maintain and to perform other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of professional accounting and budgetary work involved in the monitoring, development, analysis, maintenance, auditing, adjustment, and reconciliation of various accounts and budgets for assigned records and funds. Ensures compliance with established laws, regulations, requirements, and procedures.

Prepares, maintains, and audits a variety of records, reports and statements of department budgets, accounts, funds, revenue, deposits, invoices, payroll, expenditures, and other source data; reviews and analyzed financial data, transactions, statements, records, and reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Assists in the compilation, preparation, and filing of financial reports as needed.

Reviews financial reports and accounting records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards; makes journal entries and transfers. Acts as the technical lead in the auditing, issuing, and disbursement of checks.

Provides technical assistance to maintain and reconcile monthly bank statements; posts cash receipts to cash receipts journal; enters disbursement into cash disbursement journal.

Records information into general ledger; balances general ledger accounts; prepares trial balances and financial statements; monitors funds and account balances.

Assists auditors.

Answers telephone and written inquiries and gives out authoritative information.

Recommends accounting and internal control procedures.

Inputs a variety of financial and statistical data into an assigned computer system; establishes and maintains automated records and files; initiates queries, manipulates data, develops spreadsheets, and generates a variety of computerized reports and documents; ensures accuracy of input and output data.

Communicates with administrators, personnel, governmental agencies, and various outside organizations to exchange information, coordinate activities, and resolve issues or concerns.

Operates a variety of office equipment including a copier, computer, and assigned software.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Methods, procedures, and terminology used in professional accounting and auditing work.

Preparation of financial statements and comprehensive accounting reports.

Preparation, review, and control of assigned accounts.

Generally accepted accounting and auditing principles, practices, and procedures.

Applicable laws, codes, regulations policies and procedures.

Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques.

Financial analysis and projection techniques.

Operation of a variety of office equipment including a computer and assigned software.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

Research and analytical methods, techniques, and procedures.

Principles of training and providing work direction.

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Effective and efficient communication techniques, strategies, and procedures.

Ability to:

Perform professional accounting work in establishing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records.

Prepare a variety of accounting, budgetary and statistical reports, and statements.

Maintain accurate financial and statistical records.

Compare numbers and detect errors efficiently.

Reconcile, balance and audit assigned accounts.

Assemble, organize, and prepare data for records and reports.

Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Read, understand, interpret, and apply specific county, state, federal accounting and fiscal requirements, procedures, and policies.

Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Prepare special reports and projects, as assigned.

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Plan and organize work.

Meet schedules and timelines.

Work independently with little direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

Persons performing service in this position classification will frequently exert 10 to 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

This type of work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.

Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Experience and Education

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field. (Required)

Experience

One year of increasingly responsible experience in professional accounting, preferably in a school/governmental setting. Must possess knowledge of both fund and for-profit accounting.Company Description

The community and the staff of the Hawthorne School District are committed to providing a rigorous standards-based educational program to its students. Students are challenged and encouraged to excel in all curricular areas. The staff aspires to encourage continuous individual development and a lifetime love of learning, and prepare students to be successful in a culturally diverse society.

Hawthorne School District is dedicated to educational excellence and the continuous academic growth of all students. Located in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport, the Hawthorne School District educates close to 10,000 pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students in the diverse urban community of Hawthorne. Founded in 1907, the District is proud of its long tradition of academic excellence. There are currently seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and a charter high school in the District. All schools follow a modified traditional school calendar. The District’s high school, Hawthorne Mathematics and Science Academy, opened in the 2003-04 school year and offers a rigorous, college-preparatory program. Students from Hawthorne School District not attending the charter high school attend high schools in the Centinela Valley Union High School District.

Full-time